Magnetic anastomosis device having improved delivery

Abstract

A magnet assembly for a magnetic anastamosis device is provide that is minimally invasive, easily and quickly delivered, and is accurately positioned to improve the delivery procedure. The magnet assembly includes an elongated hub and a plurality of magnetic members disposed over the elongated hub. The elongated hub is formed of a resilient or shape memory material, permitting the magnet assembly to be operable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. In this manner, the package width of the magnet assembly is greatly reduced for delivery, thereby permitting delivery over a wire guide as well as through an access device such as a catheter. Associated delivery procedures and medical devices are also provided.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A magnet assembly for a magnetic anastamosis device used for forming an anastamosis between two bodily walls, the magnet assembly comprising:
 an elongated hub having a proximal end and a distal end, the elongated hub being tubular and defining an inner passageway sized to receive a wire guide; and 
 a plurality of magnetic members disposed over the elongated hub; 
 the magnet assembly operable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, the elongated hub extending generally linearly in the delivery configuration, the elongated hub forming an annular shape in the deployed configuration where the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated hub are adjacent to each other. 
 
     
     
       2. The magnet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of magnetic members abut each other in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
       3. The magnet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic members includes a hole sized to receive the elongated hub. 
     
     
       4. The magnet assembly of  claim 3 , wherein each hole is sized to permit the magnetic member to slide along the elongated hub. 
     
     
       5. The magnet assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the elongated hub includes a stop formed at one of the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated hub structured to prevent the plurality of magnetic members from passing beyond the end. 
     
     
       6. The magnet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of magnetic members are fixed to the elongated hub. 
     
     
       7. The magnet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of magnetic members and the elongated hub include corresponding tabs and detents to maintain the positions of the plurality of magnetic members along the elongated hub. 
     
     
       8. The magnet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of magnetic members have a trapezoidal shape. 
     
     
       9. The magnet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic members includes a jacket attached to a side thereof, each jacket projecting beyond the side to define an edge. 
     
     
       10. The magnet assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each edge contacts the edges of adjacent jackets to form a continuous annular edge in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
       11. The magnet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated hub is formed of a shape memory material. 
     
     
       12. A medical device for use in forming an anastamosis between two bodily walls, the medical device comprising:
 a magnet assembly having an elongated hub having a proximal end and a distal end and a plurality of magnetic members disposed over the elongated hub; and 
 an access device structured to be coupled to the magnet assembly, the access device comprising a wire guide; 
 wherein the elongated hub includes a passageway sized to receive the wire guide therein; 
 the magnet assembly assuming a delivery configuration when the magnet assembly is coupled to the access device, the delivery configuration having a generally linear shape; 
 the magnet assembly assuming a deployed configuration when the magnet assembly is decoupled from the access device, the deployed configuration having a generally annular shape where the proximal end and the distal end of the elongated hub are adjacent to each other. 
 
     
     
       13. The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated hub is formed of a resilient material biased to the deployed configuration. 
     
     
       14. The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated hub is formed of a shape memory material which takes the deployed configuration when the elongated hub is exposed to body temperature. 
     
     
       15. The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the elongated hub is formed of a shape memory material. 
     
     
       16. The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of magnetic members are fixed to the elongated hub. 
     
     
       17. The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of magnetic members and the elongated hub include corresponding tabs and detents to maintain the positions of the plurality of magnetic members along the elongated hub. 
     
     
       18. The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of magnetic members includes a jacket attached to a side thereof, each jacket projecting beyond the side to define an edge. 
     
     
       19. The medical device of  claim 18 , wherein each edge contacts the edges of adjacent jackets to form a continuous annular edge in the deployed configuration.